CBS News Offering Up Buyouts

CBS News has begun seeking an unspecified number of buyouts at the CBS Evening News, specifically targeting non-union editorial staff. The offers were communicated by Executive Producer Kim Harvey just 24 hours after Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss rallied the newsroom around a new digital-first vision. Sources indicate that both Harvey and newly installed anchor Tony Dokoupil previously attempted to dissuade management from reducing the Evening Newsworkforce, but the move aligns with broader cost-cutting mandates enforced by parent company Paramount Skydance following its acquisition of the network.

The timing of the reductions underscores a significant shift in editorial strategy. Weiss has explicitly directed the network to move away from "commodity" news coverage in favor of "antimemetic" and differentiated content, emphasizing personality-driven journalism over traditional reporting. This pivot includes the recent hiring of niche podcasters intended to capture younger demographics who, according to Weiss, trust individuals more than institutions.

This strategic transition appears to be fueling internal discord. During a recent town hall, one staffer publicly described a "chilling effect" within the newsroom, stating that employees fear retaliation for offering constructive criticism. While Dokoupil’s tenure has stabilized on-air operations and delivered modest initial viewership gains, the program’s overall audience continues to suffer significant year-over-year erosion.